Good Ne@courant.com

June 11, 2006

Editor's note to readers: The volume of mail was so heavy this week that we are foregoing some of our regular features on the Needle Page (opposite this one) in order to share as many letters as possible.

A Prized Mentor

Wow! Thank you for taking the journalistic risk and for publishing Shana Sureck's story about John Hunt and Sanchez School [``Sincerely, John Hunt,'' June 4.]

It is an incredible and inspirational story of giving and sharing in an age of greed and perceived urban failings. Much has been written about our failing capital, Hartford. Cities don't fail, however; it is people who fail each other and their communities. When someone cares and believes in you, one's self-esteem and motivation grows, strengthens, and flourishes.

May John Hunt's actions inspire others to mentor children and youth. Hartford isn't Connecticut's rising star. John Hunt is.

Daria Plummer, South Windsor

Your article [Sincerely, John Hunt] was magnificent! It was hard to read without crying. I hope it will help people better understand some of the difficult challenges that Hartford students face and somehow overcome. They are great kids, strong kids, and they deserve our best efforts everyday. That's why I come to work anyway.

Also, like Dr. Bello, I wish we could clone about 20,000 John Hunts. What a difference that would make in our children's lives. He sounds like an amazing man who must be having a blast in his ``retirement.''

Terry D'Italia, Hartford

The writer is public information officer to the superintendent of Hartford Public Schools

I just wanted to compliment Shana Sureck on the extraordinary ``Sincerely, John Hunt.'' It was one of the best things I've read in any newspaper anywhere. Great job!

David S. Dearborn, Hartford

The writer is Gov. M. Jodi Rell's director of communications

"Sincerely, John Hunt" was one of the most moving and most important stories I have ever seen in the Courant. It was beautifully written and photographed. It deserves some kind of award. It was important because I am sure that many people who read it will be moved to ask themselves what more they could be doing that would also make a difference.

Thank you.

Robert W. Burnett, Farmington

Supporting Dairy Farmers

I was thrilled to see your recent article on Connecticut dairy farms [``Consumer Coach,'' May 28]. I am part of a non-profit group, Friends of Town Farm Dairy Inc., that has been working very hard for the last three years to preserve, re-open and expand what had been the last working dairy farm in Simsbury.

Our situation is unique, in that the town owns the land and buildings (it was a ``poor farm'' created in the late 1800's). A single farmer, Bill Walsh, ("herdsman") has been living on the property for 18 years, operating a dairy farm for nine years. We are fortunate to have milk-processing equipment to pasteurize and make yogurt, ice cream and cheese, and a small retail store on the premises. This optimizes the profit available to the farmer. Unfortunately, some of the processing equipment is obsolete, and that is where the Friends come in, trying to gather the resources to re-start the milk processing.

Our farmer was also smart enough (and had the wherewithal) to become ``organic.'' This doubles the raw milk price, with other products having even higher values.

We are in the midst of a capital campaign to help buy the needed equipment. We have also applied for grants. Our web site www.townfarmdairy.org has more information.

Finally, there are a number of groups in Connecticut and New England working to help and support small farmers. There is the Connecticut Northeast Organic Farmers Association and the Connecticut Community Farms Coalition, organized by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. They hold meetings attended by people from all over the state who either have small farms or are trying to create community farms. .

Jennifer Frank, Simsbury

The writer is on the Friends of Town Farm Dairy board of directors. She is no relation to NE Magazine editor Jenifer Frank.

I have to laugh (ironically, though) when the simple and agreeable idea of treating animals with respect is painted in the press as "wacky." Thanks for not taking that obvious, and hackneyed, tack.

Steve Owens, West Hartford

Thank you so much for your "Zinger" [June 4] about our KFC protest. This is actually a monthly protest that I have been organizing for over a year now, since PeTA came to Hartford on a whirlwind protest tour and got me involved! We usually demonstrate on the first Saturday of every month, and also hold special demonstrations for World Farm Animals Day (in October) and the Great American Meatout (in March).